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Trump Delays Disaster Declarations Longer Than Any President Since 1989: Associated Press

President Trump now averages about a month and a half to approve major disaster requests, the slowest pace since 1989, according to Associated Press analysis. The analysis reveals Trump approved 80% of requests from Republican governors but only about 60% from Democratic governors.
FEMA has cycled through four temporary leaders since Trump took office in January 2025, including the May 2025 firing of acting director Cameron Hamilton. Hamilton, a former Navy SEAL, had publicly disagreed with Trump's idea of dismantling the agency.
Of Trump's approvals, 70% have taken at least a month, a sharp increase from predecessors who averaged less than two weeks. Since taking office last year, Trump has approved about 65 requests and denied more than two dozen others.
White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson denied accusations of bias, stating "there is no politicization to the President's decisions on disaster relief." Yet data shows Trump approved over three-fourths of requests from states that voted for him in 2024.
A council appointed by Trump recommended reducing the federal government's share of disaster aid from 75% to 50% of costs. This proposal, requiring congressional approval, would shift greater financial burden onto state and local governments already facing delayed reimbursements.

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Fortune

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